A faithful and wise servant, had in honour, throughout the churches. A discourse occasioned by the much lamented death of the Rev. Edward Wigglesworth, D.D. Hollis professor of divinity in Harvard College, Cambridge; who departed this life, January 16, 1765. in the 73rd year of his age. Having faithfully and laudably discharged the office of professor for more than 42 years

Appleton
Faithful and wise Servant

THE LIBRARY

OF

THE UNIVERSITY
OF CALIFORNIA

LOS ANGELES

Commodore Byron McCandless

Mr.

DIS COURSE

i •
„ t Qccalioned by the DEATH of

• . . •

Dr. Wigglefworth*

A faithful and "Wife Servant, had in
Honour, throughout the Churches.

DISCOURSE

Occafioned by the much lamented DEATH
OF THE

Rev. EDWARD WIGGLESWORTH, D.D,

H DLL is Profeffor of Divinity in HARVARD
College, Cambridge;

Who departed this Life, January 16. 1765.
In the 73d Year of his Age.

Having faithfully and laudably difcharged the Office of
PROFESSOR, for more than 42 Years.

By NATHANIEL ATTLETON, A.M.

Paftor of the fir ft Church in CAMBRIDGE.

Forafmuch as an excellent fpirit, and knowledge, and

underftanding, and {hewing of hard fentences, and

diflblving of doubts, were found in the fame Daniel.

And they that be wife fhall fhine as the brightnefs

of the firmament. The Prophet DANIEL.

BOSTON, NEW-ENGLAND:

Printed by RICHARD and SAMUEL DRAPER,
and THOMAS and JOHN FLEET, 176;,

.

Funeral SERMON

ON THE

Rev. Dr. WIGGLESWORTR

2 CORINTHIANS, VIII. 18.

The Brother^ -whofe *Praife is in the
) throughout all the Churches.

AS we are not told who this brothei was that
the apoflle fent with Titus on a fpecial
occafion to Corinth ; fo there can be only
conjecture about the matter. Several names arc
mentioned, fuch as Barnabas, that fon of confolation,
and Silas, and Apollos, and Mark ; and efpecially
Luke, who wrote the gofpel which goes by his name,
upon the account of which gofpel he became fa
mous in all the churches. The extraordinary
chara&er here given of this brother might be as
defcriptive of him, and as clearly point him out at
that day, as if he had been exprefsly mentioned

by

956?

6 A Funeral Sermon on the

t
by name. But it is not material, nor to our prefent

purpofe, to know who he was : For all that we have
to do is with the ihort, but high commendation
which is given of him.

AND here we may obferve firft of all that he
is fliled a brother ; by which is underflood not merely
a chriftian brother, a believer, and brother in Chrifl :
But a brother and companion in the gofpel miniftry;
a fellow -worker unto the kingdom of God: Equally
engaged and concerned with the other minifters,
kl eftabliihing and promoting the gofpel.

IN the next place, we may obferve the commen
dation thar is given of this brother minifler. >

He was had in pralfe and high commendcition.

There were excellent accomplifhments, and ami
able qualities in him, which flione forth fo con-
fpicuoufly, that he was highly efleemed and greatly
jefpe&ed. We may fuppofe he was in high repu
tation for his eminent gifts of knowledge, \vifdom,
filth, zeal, and fledfaftnefs, with which he was
endowed by the fpirit of God.

FURTHER, let us confider the extenfivenefi of
this high efteem and reputation he was in. — \Vhofe
praife is throughout all the churches. Which is to
be underflood not only of the members ; but of
the minifters of the churches. His gifts and ac
compli fliments were fo fuperiour and exteiifive, that
they were not confined to any particular church,
or to any private- and retired corner of the vineyard,

\vherc

Rev. Dr. WIGGLESWORTH. 9

where his gifts and graces would be out of general
view, and very much buried in obfcurity : But God
fo ordered it that his rare accompliftiments ftiould
be publickly known and acknowledged. We may
fuppofe his preaching, his writings, and other mi*
niflerial fervices^ rendered him very famous even
in all the churches. Very likely he was well
known to the apoftles, and other miniflers of Chrifl
in general, who difcerned the excellent qualities
he was endowed with ; and gave forth fuch high
commendations of him, as fpread his fame through
all the churches ; fo that they were all filled with
the high praifes of him.

AGAIN, let us confider the particular point rot
which he was more efpecially had in fuch high
reputation : And that was with reference to the
gofpel. Wbofepraife is in the GOSPEL ; or for the
gofpel. Whatever his knowledge and accomplifh-
ments were as to other things ; yet it was for his
knowledge of Chrift, and of the great things of the
gofpel, that he became fo famous in the churches.
He was well inftru&ed, and, we may fuppofe,
eminent for his knowledge, in the things of God
and the diilinguilhing points of chriftianity. And
if this brother was Luke the evangelift (which was
the prevailing opinion of the ancients) he was emi*-
nently inftructed in the gofpel hiftory ; and fo ift
the .do&rines and principles of chriftianity. We may
well fuppofe him to be mighty in the fcriptures?
and that he, like the great apoflle Paul, reafoned
with the people out of the holy fcriptures, opening

anil

8 A Funeral Sermon on the

and alleging that Jefus was the Chrift. A&s xvii.
2, 3. His difcourfes on thofe points were highly
efteemed ; and great weight was laid on his
judgment in difficult points of the gofpel, in
matters of controverfy, or of doubtful difputation.

BUT then we may conclude further, that his
praife in the gofpel, throughout all the churches,
was for the known ftedfaftnefs of his faith, and the
uniformity of his temper and behaviour with this
gofpel he profeffed, preached up, and recommended
to others. His knowledge and faith, his temper
and manner of life, were all of a piece, and accord
ing to the gofpel : Without which we cannot
fuppofe that his praife would have been in all the
churches.

LASTLY, I would obferve the emphatic article
that is here affixed to this brother. The brother.
It is not faid we have fent with Titus a brother, but
the brother, by way of diflinftion, and eminency
above the other brethren in the miniftry : And as
one peculiarly fitted for the fervice upon which he
was fent. He was pitched upon as the brother,
the very man above all the reft to be employed in
the fervice he was fent upon. No man like minded,
no man fo eminently fitted for the bufinefs he was
employed in.

AFTER fuch a large opening the text (by which
the fuitablenefs thereof to the prefent difpenfation
of Divine Providence may very obvioufly appear
to every one) I proceed for the further illustration
of the fubjeft toconfider. ift,

Rev. Dr. WIGGLESWORTH. 9

I ft, Some of tbofe gofpel qualifications which de-
(ervedly intitle a man to uni'verfal praife ; to the
praife of all the churches.

2diy, To fet forth what a diftinguijhing favour
and blejjed attainment it is, to be juftly intitled
to univerfal praife.

3dly, Make feme proper improvement, fuitcd to the
folemn and forrowful o^LJion that leads us to
thefe meditations.

I. LET us confider fome of thofe gofpel qua
lifications, -which defervedly intitle a man to uni-
•verfal praife ; the praife of all the churches.

AND here I will begin with

i ft. Exlenfiue knowledge in the great things of the

gofpeL

KNOWLEDGE is an efTential article in a great
and good man. For the foul to be without knowledge,
it is not good.* And there is no knowledge fo
fublime, fo enlarging, and enobling to the foul, as
the knowledge of God, and the things of God ;
the knowledge of Chrift, and the way to falvation
by him : And this is life eternal, to know thee the
only true God, and fofv.sChrift whom thou. haftfent.\
The learned and great apoflle Paul, who mufi
be allowed to be a good judge of knowledge and
B learning,

* Prov. XIX. 2. f John XVII. 3.

to A Funeral Sermon on the

learning, as to the excellency and ufefulnefs of it,
declares that he counted all things but lofs, for the
excellency of the knowledge of Chrifl Jefus his
Lord.* In the chriftian fcheme of falvation, which
is contained in the holy fcriptures, are hid all the
treafures of divine wifdom and knowledge ; confe-
quently it mud needs be a very laudable attainment,
to have a good and thorough acquaintance with
the holy fcriptures, thofe oracles of divine truth :
To be able not only tcrf|ecite the words of the holy
fcriptures ; but to fee and underftand the meaning
of the fame. It is very praife-worthy to be able
fo to fearch the fcriptures, as to compare tranfla-
rions \vi;.h the original ; and to compare fpiritual
things with fpiritual ; one portion of fcripture with
another ; fo as, inftead of being carried away with
the found of words, to gain the true fenfe and
meaning of the feveral places ; and thereby to gain
a clear and comprehenfive view of the gofpel fcheme
of falvation ; and fo of the various truths and duties
therein contained.

MOREOVER, this knowledge of ihe gofpel that
ii truly laudable, and would recommend to public
efteem, is a good acquaintance with the various
fenfes that have been put upon places of holy fcrip
ture; and fo the various fentiments, fyftems and
principles of chriftianity, that have or do prevail in
the world, whereby they may be able to put a mark
upon dangerous errors, which have been broach
ed by ignorant men, who have wrefted the holy
fcriptures; and to point out the truth as it is in, Jefus.

FURTHERMORE*
* Phil. in. g.

Rev. Dr. WIGGLESWORTH. n

. FURTHERMORE, another very laudable point
of knowledge in the things of God, is to underhand
the ground and foundation of our holy religion j
and to get acquainted fo far both with the internal
and external evidence of the divine authority of the
holy fcriptures, and fo of the truth of chriftianity,
as to be able to convince gainfayers, and to vindicate
the glorious truths of the gofpel from the captious
cavils, or mere fubtle obje&ions ftarted by men of
corrupt ?nindsy given to perverfe difputings, and dejli-
tide of the truth : And to be able to fet in a ftrong
and convincing light, the arguments to prove the
holy fcriptures to be given by infpiration of God ;
and confequently that the gofpel fcheme of falva-
tion is built upon a fure foundation, upon which we
may fafely venture our fouls and the eternal concerns
of them.

Now, fuch an extenflve knowledge of the
gofpel, and fo of the foundations of our holy religion,
is fuch a neceflary and excellent attainment, that
thofe who make a laudable proficiency herein,
merit highly of the .church of God. Such men
have been in one age and another the pillars of
the church ; the external props by which the
church . has been kept from finking into utter igno
rance and infidelity.

sdly. Soundnefs of -principles ; adhering dofely to
the gofpel, 'without adding thereto, or diminijbing,
or varying therefrom, is very fraife-ivorthy.

B 2 FOR,

12 A Funeral Sermon on the

FOR, altho' orthodoxy, or fcundnefs of principle?,
may be an uncertain phrafe, inafmuch as the va
rious fefts that are' in the world, lay claim to this
character ; yet, as chriftians of all denominations
profefs the gofpel to be the only fure and unerring
rule of faith and manners ; fo thofe principles
mutt be founded, which come the neareft to the
flandard. Confequently, thofe perfons who not
only profeffedly, but really endeavour to fquare
their faith and practice by the doctrines and pre
cepts of the gofpel, are to be had in honour. And
where this evidently appears to be the care and en
deavour of any perfons, fo as neither to preach,
publifh or vent any thing as a neceiTary article of
faith, but what is plainly demonflrated by the word
of God; it muft needs recommend them to the
church of God, which is built upon the founda
tion of the apoftles and prophets, Jefus Chrift being
the chief corner flone.* And therefore thofe
teachers who have fo much knowledge, wifdom
and humility, as not to be wife above what is
written, and make this their ccnflant inquiry, in
all their fearches after divine truths, what faith
the fcripture? and whenever they fpeak in away
of teaching, fpeak as the oracles of God ; and ap
peal to thofe written facred oracles, according to
the true genuine meaning of the fame, for the truth
of what they alTert, .are highly to be commended,
and deferve the praifes of all the churches of Chrift :
Which will appear by confidering the dreadful
errors, fuperftitions, corruptions, and idolatries, the
church fell into, when they departed from this

only

If, 39.

Rev. Dr. WIGGLESWORTH. 13

only unerring rule, and fee up an infallible head
on earth ; and taught for do&rines the traditions
and commandments of men.

AND how well did thofe glorious worthies de-
ferve of the church of Chrift, who boldly and
courageoufly began a reformation, and ftrenuoufly
endeavoured to reduce the church to its original
foundation, the holy fcriptures? And howjuftly
are the names of thofe firfl reformers handed down
with honour throughout all the proteftant churches
in the world ? But, inafmuch as even the reformed
churches have not gotten fo compleatly upon the
original bafts as is to be defired ; it mud needs be
very praife-worthy for thofe who are fet up to be
teachers of others, to labour to fix them more and
more upon the gofpel foundation, without the par
ticular fchemes, fyftems, or inventions of men j or
indeed fo much as the expreffions of men in fuch
grand myflerious points, wherein ive know not bow
to order our fpeecb by reafon of darknefs.

. The gift of opening the holy fcriptures ; fet ting
forth the truths and duties contained therein, in
a true, diftintt and dear light, is what recom
mends teachers to the churches of the Lord Jefus.

THIS implies a capacious mind, a clear head,
extenfive knowledge, diftinft ideas, and reach of
thought, obtained, or improved, by much reading
and ftudy, a careful weighing matters, and laying
ihem together. And fcirely fuch natural endow

ments,

14 A Funeral Sermon on the

ments, improved by clofe application to meditation
and reading, juftly claim the high efteem of the
churches of Chrift. And fuch will be refpe&ed
and honoured by all the lovers of truth, and the
diligent fmcere inquirers after it. How are perfons
inftrucled, and greatly edified, who let at the feet
of fuch learned doctors whofe ideas lie clear and dif-
tinct ; and what benefit have the written labours of
fuch men been to the chriftian world ? And how
have their learned cxpofitions, wherein they have
unfolded the holy fcriptures, and their other inge
nious and judicious difcourfes, brought and preferred
light and knowledge in the church ? And how have
the names and memories of fuch learned authors
been handed down and fpread abroad in the chrif
tian church, with high honour and efleem ?

^thly. THE gift of confirming divine truths and
enforcing duties, in a flrong, convincing and
moving manner, jultly claims the praifes of all
chriilians.

THIS is a gift as ufeful and necefiary, in irs place,
as the former, for the church of Chrilh It is not
fufficient to fet truths and duties before perfons,
merely to enlighten their underftanding?, and en
large their minds ; but, as all divine truths have
reference to practice, to which there is a natural
backwardnefs, and great oppofition, from the world,
the things of the world, the corrupt cuftoms of the
\vorlJ, the enticements and the examples of finners ;

fo

Rev. Dr. WIGGLESWORTH, 15

fo ihere needs \varm addrefTes to the confcience,
to the paffions and afFeclions of the foul, yea to all
the fprings of action. People need, not only to be
told their duty, and fhown what it is ; but to be
urged to it, and in a moving manner be expoftu-
lated with about it. Confequently, the compleat
preacher, or teacher, will have his eafy, clear and
plain inftru&ions warnTd and animated, as if his
tongue had been jufl touched with a /he coal from
of the altar. His writings will be pungent, as well
as clear and pertinent ; and all the great arguments
of the gofpei for a chriflian temper and practice,
will be fet in fuch array, as may ferve not only to
excite and engage the attention, but to roufe the
confcience, to enkindle the affections ; yea, and
with the concurring influence of the divine fpirir,
to perfuade the will, and convert the man. And
Oh ! how much is the church of God obliged to
fuch awakening preachers; and for fuch practical
and pachetic writings of theirs which are extant,
and lodged in chriftian families ! And what a multi
tude of precious faints will rife up at the judgment
and call fuch preachers and authors blefled, for the
blefled effects of their faithful labours upon their
fouls ? And with what refpeft and affection are
fuch faithful fervants of Chrift fpoken of among
the people of God, and how are their practical
Writings recommended, fpiead, and handed down
from one generation to another ?

5thly. A fpecial gift of difcerning of fpirits ;
accurately diflinguifhing between truth and

error ;

1 6 A Funeral Sermon on the

error ; between greater and lejjer matters of
chriftianiry ; between things clear and plain,
and thofe that are doubtful ; between ejjentiah
and circumftantials'm religion.

THIS is a mod ufeful and even neceffary gift
for preachers and teachers of the gofpel ; and the
want of it has caufed the greatefl difturbances and
confufions in the church. Truth and error, altho'
eflenrially different from each other, yet oftentimes
pur on fuch fimilar appearances, that it requires a
{harp and penetrating eye to difcern the difference,
fo as to diftinguifh the truth from the error.
Error is oftentimes gilded over with fuch fpecious
and plaufible arguments, and communicated in fuch
artful and equivocal terms, that minifters, as well as
others, have fwallowed them down as truths ; and
only fome fingular gift of difcerning has been able
to difcover the error, and the danger thereof that
was couched therein^

BUT then again, what fevere contefts have there
been among the churches of Chrifl ; and how have
they been thrown into feuds and quarrels ? How
have they loft their charity one for another ?
How have they feparated and withdrawn commu
nion from each other ? Yea, how have they in
their turns perfecuted one another even unto death ?
And al! this for want of difcerning between the
greater and the lefler matters of the gofpel, the
eflemials and only circumftantials of religion ! But
now, when God endows any of his fervants with

an

Rev. Dr. WIGGLESWORTH. 17

an eminent fpirit of difcerning in thefe matters, fo
as to fee what faith that is which was once deli
vered to the faints, to be contended for ; and what
are matters of lefs importance, and not worth con
tending about ; what matter is this of thankfgiving
to God ? and how highly do fuch deferve of all
the churches, who give them to fee that the matters
in which they differ are not worth driving or
breaking charity about; and who are inflrumental
of perfuading chriflians, notwithflanding the little
differences in opinion and practice, to maintain cha
rity and communion one with another ? How de-
fervedly are they in the praife of all the churches
within their knowledge and influence, who are
able in any meafure, with the wifdom and difcerning
of the aportle Paul, to conciliate them in matters
of difference about leffer things, as he did, Rom. xiv.
about eating, or not eating certain meats, or ob-
ferving, and not obferving certain days ; concerning
which he advifes not to judge nor to defpife one
another ; but, being fully perfuaded in their own
minds, he would have them charitably to believe
as to each other, that they did what they thought
moil pleafing to Chrift. He that eateth, eateth to
the Lord ; for he gheth God thanks : He that eateth
nof, to the Lord he eateth nof, andgiveih God thanks,

6th ly, Zeal for the great truths and duties of
chriftianity ; but duly tempered with charity
and prudence, challenges high honour and refpeft
from the churches of Chrift.

C

:8 A Funeral Sermon on the

. ALTHOUGH there is a blind furious zeal about
matters comparatively fmall, which is to be dreaded ;
yet there is a zeal that is truly laudable. // is good
to be zealoufly affeEled always in a good thing?*
And Chrift purifies to himfelf a peculiar people,
zealous of good works. \ How commendable muft
it be for teachers and preachers, who are fet for
the defence of the gofpel, to appear zealous, bold
and courageous for the truth, fo as to defend it
againft all the daring attempts of deifts and infidels,
and fuch like vile oppofers of chriftianity P Surely
the church of God is greatly indebted to thofe
chriftian heroes, who inftead of being aftiamed of
the gofpel of Chrift, or afraid to appear in his caufe,
have openly profeffed him before perfecuting kings
and emperors, and have facrificed their very lives in
the caufe ; and fubmitted to the moft cruel tortures
that men or devils could invent, rather than re
nounce the chriftian caufe ? Thefe glorious mar
tyrs are defervedly had in praife throughout all the
churches ; and their names had in everlafting re
membrance, whofe zeal and courage conquered the
heathen rage, and can fed the gofpel fo to fpread,
that it became a general obfervation that the blood
dj the riUitiji's ^as the feed of the church.

AND as to thofe who have not been called to
refift unto blood ; but yet have had a zeal to appear
openly in the defence of chriftianity, and of any of
its important truths and duties, they deferve very
highly of the church : For if it had not been for fuch

zealour

* Gal. IV. 18. f Tit. II. 14.

Rev. Dr. WIGGLESWORTH. ly

zealous and careful watchmen upon the walls, ro give
faithful and feafonable warning, the church would
have been robbed of one important truth and duty
of chriftianity after another, till it would have been
ftript of every thing that is purely chriftian, and
carried back to the religion of the heathen, or
fomething worfe.

BUT then, a zeal that is truly commendable
will not be fevere and cruel, though it fhould have
power in its hand ; but is regulated by charity and
goodnefs. It is not a zeal that rafhly thinketh or
fpeaketh evil of others ; but being qualified with
love and charity, don't allow itfelf to think any
evil, without fufficient foundation for it; but hopeth
all things, and believeth all things it pofllbly can,
upon any good foundation, in favour of them ;
ready to put as favourable contractions upon their
fentiments and ways as they will poffibly bear;
This zeal is allb dire&ed by wifdom and pru
dence, carefully avoiding all rafhnefs and precipi
tancy, and every thing that is fierce and cruel,
which fiery zeal prompts to ; but wifely confiders
the perfons with whom it has to do, and the times and

circumflances of things. And now how much are

the churches indebted to fuch who though zealous
for God and his caufe, are candid and charitable,
prudent and cautious in all their meafures ? And
how are uproars in towns and churches flilled,
party rage and fury allayed, and all things brought
to peace an$ kept in it, by the happy influence of
fuch a temper .p

C 2 ythly.

2o A Funeral Scrmvn on the

7th!y. Stedfaftnefs in the truths and •ways of God
is highly commendable.

BY which I mean not a rigid fixednefs or inflexi
bility againft arguments fufficient to change our
minds ; for this would be obflinacy and perverfnefs,
rather than a rational or gracious ftedfaitnefs ; which
fledfaftnefs is oppofite to that ficklenefs of temper,
and wavering difpofition, that keeps men fo loofe
and unhinged, that they hardly know their own
minds, much lefs may others depend upon them.

Now fuch unflable fouls, liable as the weather
cock to be turned by the wind, and fo to be like
children toiTed to and fro by every wind of doc
trine, very much difparage their character. U ' nftablt:
as water ,t hey Jhall not excel!.*

WHEREAS the ftedfaft man is he, who having ex
amined the ground of his faith and pra£Hce,and find
ing himfelf upon a good foundation, remains fixed
and fteady. He is not fuddenly moved by fophiftical
and fubtle arguments, or plaufible appear.mces of
things; but will examine and obfcrve things care-'
fully ; and not change his mind or conduct, till upon
a careful and thorough weighing of the matter, he
finds it reafonable.

AND furely it mud be highly to the commenda
tion of fuch as are appointed the guides and
inflru&ors of others, that they be firm and fleady
in their principles, and able to defend them. And

theft:
t Ccn. XLV. 4.

Rev. Dr. WIGGLESWORTH. 21

thefe churches are greatly indebted to fuch fteady
and faithful guides, to whom, under God, it is
•very much owing that they have hitherto been
preferred upon their foundation ; when they have
been fo vehemently aflaulted by ignorant and
illiterate intruders, who have thrown many of the
churches into confufion, and threatned their over
throw. If it had not been for a number of
fteady chriftians, minifters and fpiritual guides (of
whom the late deceafed among us was an eminent
one) thefe churches would have been much fhaken,
if not overthrown ; therefore fuch juftly claim a
praife thro' all the churches.

otbly. I may add that diligence, conflamy and affi*
vity are very recommending qualities.

THESE added to the forementioned qualities,
render a man very illuftrious, and fpread his name
and fame throughout the churches, far and near.
It was by the diligence, the activity, and the abun
dant labours of fome upon facred, and others upon
ecclefiaftical record, that they have rendered them-
felves famous in all ages of the church, even to this
day. But I may not enlarge. Therefore,

pthly. Sincerely aiming to honour God with all his
gifts, and carefully endeavouring to exemplify
all the graces and virtues of the chrijtian in his
own life, mufl needs recommend to the praife
of all the churches wko Jball fee and hear of
the fame.

THIS

22 A Funeral Sermon on the

THIS is the crowning point of any great man's
character. It is THIS that makes the man's face
to flitne. It is THIS that puts a luftre upon all
the rich endowments of nature, or of education.
It is THIS that adorns the man in every office, in
every ftation and relation of life. It is THIS that
puts a glofs, yea a real beauty and excellency upon
all performances. Then it is that minifters and
other do&ors of divinity recommend their difcourfes,
and fet forth the beauty and excellency of divine
truths, and give a certain force and energy to them,
viz. when they exemplify their do&rines and their
counfels in their own temper and carriage. When
minifters and fpiritual guides live as the gofpel
teaches them, and as they teach others from the
gofpel, evcnfoberly, and righteously, and god/y,'m the
world : Then, I fay, they do in an eminent man
ner adorn the dodtrine of God our Saviour. THIS
•will caufe their lights to Jbine before men ; and
others feeing and hearing of their good 'works ; of
their exemplary piety, holinefs and goodnefs, will
not only have them in great reputation and honour,
but will be induced to be followers of them ; and
from their bright example to glorify our Father
which is in heaven.

II. LET us now proceed to confiderwhat a diftin-

gui/bing favour and blefjed attainment it is, to

have fuch endowments, natural or acquired, and

fuch a gracious temper and behaviour, as juftly to

claim the praifes of all the churches.

IT

Re*u. Dr. WIGGLESWORTH. 23

IT is an high commendation which is here given
of this brother minifter in the text, That his praife
in the gofyel 'was throughout all the churches, inti
mating hereby that there was fomething uncommon
in him ; and that God had enabled him, in a very
diftinguilhing manner, to recommend himfelf to
the high efteem and praife of all the churches ;
which fuppofes the forementioned, and fuch like
accompliiliments, in an eminent degree, were found
in him. His praife in all the churches, is not to be
underflood as if he was only a very popular man,
who by voice and gefture, and flow of words, gained
the vulgar popular applaufe ; but that he had fuch
real excellencies and accomplishments as recommend
ed him to the apoflles and minifters, and to all the
wife and underftanding and judicious among them ;
who were able to difcern the things that differ.

AND that it is a diftinguifhing favour and
bleffed attainment to have fuch endowments of
mind, and fuch other good qualities, as juftly re
commend to the high efleem of all wife and good
men, will appear, if we briefly confider a few things.

i ft. That they are only great and good qualities
which 'will recommend to the efteem and refpeft
of wife, great and good men.

THE. illiterate vulgar and weak people maybe
carried away with noife and {how, and fome little
popular arts, without any thing fubftantially good
and excellent. The brother in our texc was

not

24 -d Funeral Sermon on the

not fuch an one : But his qualifications were fuch
as recommended him to the wife and the belt
judges of true worth : Confequently, there mult
have been excellent endowments and fuperiour
qualities found in him, to recommend to univerfal

efteem. And now it muft needs be a great

favour and fpecial blefling, to be fo richly endowed
as to gain, and that very defervedly, an univerfal
efteem. Every good gift, and every perfect gift,
is from above, and cometh down from the Father
of lights. He is the former of our bodies, and the
Father of our fpirits ; and he forms and unites
them together in a manner we know not how ;
from whence arife the various capacities, geniufes
and inclinations among the children of men. And
he who has the difpofing of all things in providence,
orders out the various advantages, and gives the
various inclinations to improve the fame, for the
enlarging the mind, and enriching it with a greater
variety of ufeful knowledge. And whenever their
natural powers and acquired knowledge are fancti-
fied, and converted to the greateft and beft pur-
pofes, it is by the grace of God. And therefore
when there are fuch diftinguifliing endowments of
nature, providence, and grace, found in any, as
give them a diftinguifliing efteem among the wife
and good, it muft be looked upon as a diftinguifli
ing favour to fuch, and ftiould be acknowledged by
them and their friends to the glory of God. For
what haveany which may claim diftinguifliing efteem,
but what they have received ? and therefore, whilfl
fuch receive honour and praife of men, they ihould
give the glory to God. sdly.

Rev. Dr. \VIGGLESWORTH. 25

idly. It is a rare thing to have thefe good qualifies
fo united in the fame fubj eft, and info confpicu-
ous a manner as to gain univerfal ejleem and
reputation.

THOSE good qualities which deferve commen
dation and praife, are for the moft part difperfed
among the children of men. To this man is given
one eminent gift, to that man is given another. Some
have iuperiour natural powers ; but no education to
cultivate and enlarge them. Others have good na
tural powers, and good education ; but they have
violent paffions, fuddenly moved and carried to great
excefs ; befides other bad natural tempers. Others
again have all thefe advantages, good capacities,
good temper, good education to the great en
largement of their minds ; but no grace to fanftify
them, and fit them for their mafler's ufe ; and
fo they cannot be in that high efteem in the
churches, and with the faithful in Chrifl Jefus.1
But then again, fuppofmg the man excellent for nar
tural powers and for great improvement of his mind
by education, and a good natural temper, and all
fan&ified by divine grace ; yet, alafs ! how often has
the chara&er of fuch an one been ilurred by fome
fin or folly that he has fallen into .p which has been
as the dead fly in the ointment of the apothecary t
that fendeth forth a ft inking favour, and brings a
blot and difgrace upon him that is in reputation for
•".vifdom and honour*

LA STL Y here, There are fome excellent perfons
who upon all accounts deferve and have the high
D commendations

* Ecclsf. x. i.

26 A Funeral Sermon on the

commendations of all who are acquainted with
them : But they are not much known ; their light
is as it were put under a buftiel ; their lot is in fome
remote and retired corner of the vineyard j and fo
they live and die pretty much in obfcurity. So that,
upon the whole, to have perfons of fuch fuperiour
accomplishments, fan<ftified and adorned by divine
grace, free from any blot or blemim in their cha-
rafter, and thefe placed as a city fet upon a hill, to
be feen and known of all men, is a very rare thing,
and confequently to be taken notice of and acknow
ledged as a diftinguiihing favour and bleffing.

jdly. It is a fpecial favour, as it gives to fuch
great advantages for being eminently ufeful in
the 'world.

REPUTATION and efteem give a man great
advantage for doing good ; and the higher and
more extenfiVe his chara&er rifes, fo much the
greater opportunity it gives him of being ufeful
to mankind. The fentiments of fuch a man will
be much regarded ; his judgment will be highly
efteemed ; his counfel will be fought after and
hearkened unto ; his advice on particular points
of difficulty will come with weight ; and his ex
ample will be very influential ; and being graci-
oufly inclined to do all the good he can, it is not
eafy to think how extenfively ufeful fuch a man is
to the family, to the town, and to every fociety with
which he is connected ; yea, and to the church of

God in general. And now the more ufeful God

make*

Rev. Dr. WIGGLESWORTH. 27

makes us in the world, fo much the more favour he
ihows to us, and fo much the more honour he
confers upon us.

4thly. As the man highly and defervedly efteemed
implies the faithful and the wifefervant ; fo he
will receive the diftinguiflnng rewards cffuch.

WE are fpeaking of men who are defervedly
efteemed and honoured as the faithful fervants of
Chrift; and as fuch they will be not only efteemed
and praifed through the churches of Chrift, but
they fhall have the high approbation of their judge;
and from high efteem among the faints on earth,
lhall be received to glory, honour and immortality
in heaven ; and by how much they have diftin-
guifhed themfelves, according to their abilities and
opportunities, in the ferviceof God, tor the honour
of Chrifl and the good of men, fo much the
greater will be their reward in heaven ; and fo
much more open and abundant entrance {hall be
miuiflred to them into the everlafting kingdom. All
which ferves to iliow what a fpecial favour it is to
have fuperiour abilities, fo fanftified and faithfully
improved, as fhall be not only with reputation and
honour in the church of God j but with the appro
bation of our judge. For this is the way to have that
bleiTed euge full of honour, comfort and happinefs
pronounced upon us : Well done good and faithful
enter Into the joy of thy Jjord,*

D 2 LET

Matt. XXV. 21.

A Funeral Sermon on the

LET us now proceed to make fome improvement
and application of thefe meditations.

I ft. WE learn from what has been faid that God
is thankfully to be acknowledged by all whom
he largely endows with fuch gifts and graces t
as deferi>edly give them great efteem and an
high character in the church of God.

THE gifts of nature, even all the powers of the
mind, with the natural genius, difpofition and tem
per ; and all the advantages for improvement and
enlargement ; and all that virtuous and gracious
turn of mind, with good behaviour ; and all the
laudable aftions and performances, whereby pcrfons
recommend themfelves to the high efteem of others,
are from God even from the very firft to the
laft : And that very honour and efteem that arifes
from hence comes of him ; and is a favour of divine
providence thankfully to be acknowledged to God's
glory, and improved to his honour.

GOD'S giving a man high efteem and reputation,
gives him great advantages of doing much for the
honour of God and the good of mankind : And in
this way he is to exprefs his thankfulnefs to God
for any fuchdiftinguifhing favour. The fentiments,
the principles, the counfels, the admonitions, the
examples of fuch will be weighty and influential,
in proportion to the character they bear, and the
efteem and honour they are had in, among mankind.
Surely then it concerns fuch to fhow their thank-

fylnefs

Rev. Dr. WIGGLESWORTH. 29

flilnefs to God for his diltinguilhing favours to
them ; by being fo much the more careful in all
their fayings, and in all their writings they fend
forth into the world : And fo much the more cir-
cumfpeft in all their conduct, becaufe the eyes
of people naturally fix upon them : Nothing is
more common than for perfons to defend themfelves
in that which is ill, and unguarded, and fo cannot
otherwife be excufed; by faying it is no more
than fuch and fuch who bear the beft of characters
have faid or done. Confequently fuch men whom
God favours with high reputation and character,
cannot better (how their gratitude to him for the
fame, than by a mod guarded, circumfpe<ft, exem
plary converfation, diligently employing their gifts,
and improving their intereft in men's hearts for the
honour of God, the increafe of religion, and fo
the befl good of mankind.

2dly. THE fubjeft before us teaches us That it is
but a laudable ambition, to endeavour jujlly to
deftrve a unroerfal good characler.

THE apoflle fpeaks of it as a high commenda
tion of the brother in our text, that he was had in
praife throughout all the churches, and confequently
it was to his honour, that he laboured fo to acquit
himfelf as to merit fuch univerfal praife.

THE love of fame or praife is a natural paffion
formed in man to ferve fome great nnd good pur-
pofo, and to prompt men to labour to excell in.

things

go ^4 Funeral Sermon on the

things great and good : And this paflion under due
regulation ferves as a noble and powerful fpur to
great and good, but difficult and dangerous enter-
prizes. But this as well as the other ufeful pafllons
of the foul is degenerated and corrupted j and fo is
apt to run into extremes.

WITH fome this laudable ambition degenerates
into fordid meannefs, and a criminal dif regard of
character ; they are carelefs what men fay or think
of them j and are fo negligent of the good opinion
of others, that they will do nothing to deferve their
good efteem ; and fet fo light by a good name
(though it be better than great riches) that they
will facrifke it, and expofe themfelves to the con
tempt of all wife and good men, for the fake of
gratifying fome filthy and brutifh luft.

THE other extreme is, when this laudable Am
bition degenerates into pride : Some men are more
concerned to have praife and honour than to deferve
it; and indulge fuch an exceilive love of fame as
to take iinjuftifiable methods for the gaining it.
Inftead of obferving the wife man's rule,* Let ano
ther man praife thee, and not thine own month ; a
ftr anger, and not thine own lips, they will praife
themfelves ; and will do every thing in an oftenta-
tious vain-glorious manner, that they may have praife
and glory of men j to the neglect of fuch duties
and fervices as are out of the fight of men ; they aim
only at the appearance and not the reality of good-
nefs ; and will vilify others to exalt themfelves,
and fecretly wound other mens characters to ad
vance their own.

B'JT

* Frov. XXVII. 2.

Rev. Dr. WIGGLESWORTH. 31

BUT now happy is the man, who has wifdom
and grace to fteer between thefe two extremes ;
who has a due regard to character, but endeavours
to deferve it, as well as hav.e it; who defires
and feeks no further praife or commendation than
he has juft claim to ; and who endeavours to acquit
himfelf faithfully in every office and relation of
life he fuftains, and leaves it with God to give or
with-hold the praife.

3dly. What a great blejjlng to a people, thankfully
to be acknowledged, when God raifes up perfons,
and qualifies them after fuch a manner as t9
deferve the praifes and high commendations of all
the churches ; even of all wife, ferious and
good men.

THESE are indeed the excellent ones in the earth.
They are the fa It of the earth. Thefe arc the
light of the world. They are the pillars of the
churches, and the glory of Chrift ; and the means of
preferving the churches from finking into ignorance
and degenerating into corruption. It is by fuch
men's being raifed up in one age of the church,
and another, that the truths and principles of
chriflianity, according to the fcriptures, have been
preferved, and even refcued and feparated from the
dregs of ignorance and corruption, which the
church in fomc former ages was funk into ; and
the truth as k is in Jefus, and in his gofpel, made
to {hine forth, with fuch a degree of clearnefs as

now

32 A Funeral Sermon on the

now it does. Surely the churches of God are
greatly indebted to fuch able and faithful men.
But O ! what obligations are chriftians under to
God, and to the Lord Jefus Chrifl, who has, from
time to time, raifed up fuch men, and enriched
them with fuch excellent gifts ! Surely it becomes
chriftians to be thankful for the gifts beftowed
upon others, as well as upon themfelves : For fu-
periour gifts beftowed upon any perfons are for
the public good ; and therefore we fhould all re
joice in them, and be thankful for them.

4thly. CONSEQUENTLY, the death and departure
of perfons of difli nguijhing 'worth and character
ought to be taken notice of as a public lofs, and
the hearts of people duely affetted therewith.

As for thofe whofe praife is in all the churches,
when God takes them away by death, it becomes
churches to be humble under his holy hand ; and
I believe you will every one agree that God is
calling us at this time to take a folemn and hum
ble notice of fuch a difpenfation of his holy provi
dence the laft week, in the death and departure of
the Rev. Dr. WIGGLES WORTH, Hoi/is Profeffor
of Divinity in the College, whofe remains were
interred the laft evening. The juft claim he had
to the high commendation and character in my
text, led me to the fubjecl: ; he being a reverend
brother, whofe praife in the gofpel is defervedly
had throughout the churches ; yea, we may apply

the

Rev. Dr. WIGGLESWORTH. 33

the character of Demetrius unto him, of whom it
is fa id, That he hath good report of all men, and
tf the truth itfelf.*

THE great former of all things, who defigned
him for a very important ftation of life, relating
to his gofpel kingdom, formed him originally with
many very fuperiour powers of the mind, diflin-
guifhingly fitted for fiich a fervice. Akho' God
gave him but a {lender conftitution of body, yet he
was very liberal to him in the various faculties of
his foul, which perhaps were promoted and brought
forth to greater advantage by the tendernefs and
delicacy of his bodily frame. So that in his very
make and conftitution there was fuch an extenfive-
nefs and reach of thought, (pch a quicknefs and
clearnefs of apprehenfion, fuch a foundnefs of judg
ment, fuch an acutenefs and ftrength of reafoning,
fuch accuracy of expreffion ; and all thefe accompa
nied with fuch a calm, fedate and difpailionate temper
as are rarely to be met with in the fame fubjecl:.

HAVING had the advantage of a liberal edu
cation, he enlarged and ftorcd his mind with trea-
fures of ufeful knowledge. And as he purpofed,
by the will of God, to employ his life in the
gofpel miniitry, fo divinity, and the things of the
gofpel, and thofe which would ferve to illuftrate
and confirm the fame, were the fubjecls that he
chiefly employed his mind hi the ftudy of. And
altho' he flood candidate for the gofpel miniftry,
and went on in occafional preaching for fome years;
E in

* III. Ep. John 12 ver,

in which he gave to all, but efpecially to the
more learned and judicious, very ample tokens of
his fuperiour abilities and thorough acquaintance
with facred things ; yet it appeared in a little time,
by the courfe of providence, that God had another
and very important bufmefs in referve for him :
Namely, that inflead of being confined to teach
and minifter to one fmgle congregation of common
chriflians, he fhould be an inftruftor of all the
young candidates for the gofpel miniftry, and train
them up in the great doftrines and principles of
chriftianity ; and fo form and fit them to go forth
into the feveral congregations of the Lord, and
preach the pure truths of the gofpel to them ; and
fo to have it as his fpecial bufmefs, to teach thofc
who were to be teacjiers and preachers to others.

To bring about this important event, be
hold! at that very time, God raifed up a mod
generous benefactor to the college, viz. the late
worthy Mr. THOMAS HOLLIS, merchant, of
London ; who among his many pious and charitable
benefa&ions to the college, founded a profeflbrfhip
for divinity ; making the fame known to the cor
poration, defiring them to name fome perfon to him
proper for that fervice. Accordingly, the diftin-
guifhing abilities of Mr. Wigglefworth were fo
confpicuous, that he was unanimoufly nominated
and appointed to that office ; in which he has,
thro' the great goodnefs of God, very laudably,
yea with diftinguifhiug honour, officiated for more
than forty two years ; and fo has abundantly an-
fwered the high recommendatory character given

of

Rev. Dr. WIGGLESWORTH. 35

of him by one of the corporation, and in their
name, to his worthy patron. #

AND by fuch a faithful and acceptable difchargc
of this office it is more efpecially that his praife comes
to be in all the churches : For, altho' his occafional
preaching and his printed works have fpread his fame ;
yet it was by the conftant attendance upon the duties
of his office, that his praife has been diffufed thro'
E 2 thefe

* " There is but one thing more, Sir, which I have now to
add, but it is a very great one ; the nomination of a per-
fon to you, to be your firft profefTor. There is lately
returned to, and is now reliding in the college, a very
accomplifhed perfon for the office, in our joint opinion
and judgment, Mr. Edward tt'igglefworth, who in the
year I7iopaffed his firft degree with us, and has ever
fmce diligently applied himfelf to the learned ftudies,
and to the ftudy of divinity more efpecially. He is a
perfon of known and exemplary virtue, piety, literature,
modeity, meeknefs, and other chriftian ornaments. His
public exercifes in the pulpit difcover a Iblid judgment,
a clean Itile, a clear method, a bright and llrong thought,
and a facility or aptnefs to teach : And it now appears
to us as if Providence may have referved him for fuch a
fervice as this now before us ; which we apprehend may
fuit him in all refpects, excepting his low opinion of
himfelf; yet neither is he wanting in gravity, wifdom,
and a fpirit of government and authority, which may be
neceflary to command the reverence of others to him, in
any office he may be called to."

Vid. Life and Charatle r of Dr. Colman, p. 54,55.

Betides the profefforfhip of divinity, the above named Mr.
Hollis founded a profeflbrlhip of mathematicks, of natural
and experimental philofophy; eftabliihed ten fcholar-
fhips ; furniflied the college with a coftly and valuable
apparatus ; and fome or other of that worthy name and

family

3 6 -^ Funeral Sermon on the

thefc churches : For he being continued, by the
great goodnefs of God, in the profeffor's chair for
fo many years, mod by far of ihe miniflers of this
and of fome neighbouring provinces, have been
trained up in their theological ftudies by and under
him ; who, I doubt not, do with one confent agree
to do him honour, as he who by his public and
private lectures, and perfonal conferences, has given
great light to them in the things of the gofpel ;
and done a great deal to edablifli them in many
important points of chriflianity. So in this way
his eminent gifts became of public ufe, and are as
it were, by their miniflry, tranfmitted to the feveral
churches of the land. And I believe his praife is
fo in thefe churches, efpecially with the minifters
of them, that they would with one voice declare
that they knew not any, who would have more, if
fo compleatly, filled that chair as he did.

IF we confider him in the government of the
college, and confulting for its welfare, he was a

very

family have, from time to time, for more than forty years
paft, been teftifying their pious and generous regards to
the college. And the prefent worthy Mr. Thomas Hollis,
of London, pofTcffed abundantly of the fame excellent fpirit,
and kind regard to the college, which recommended and
endeared his great uncle to us, has fmce the late deltruc-
tion of the library and apparatus by fire, fent towards the
reparation of that lofs, a very large collection of valuable
books, to the amount of fome hundreds flerling.
The Lord be praifed for that compaffionate, benevolent, and
liberal fpirit he has ftirred up towards the college of late ;
And may all its kind and generous benefactors, whether
in Great- Britain or amongft ourlelves, be abundantly re
warded with the bleffings of divine providence and grace.

Rev. Dr. WIGGLESWORTH. 37

very ufeful member, not only confidered in his con
nection with the prefident and tutors, in the imme
diate government of the fludents ; but as one of the
corporation of the college. For, altho' his hardnefs
of hearing was a great difficulty to him when debates
were carried on, yet things being made known to
him (to have his thoughts upon them) there always
appeared in him fuch an accuracy of thought, fuch
a wifdom and judicioufnefs in his obfervations, as
were ever of great weight with us. Which I am
able to fpeak from my own obfervation, having had
the honour and pleafure of fitting with him at thac
board for more than forty years.

AND fuch was the efteem the learned had of
his knowledge, fagacity, and foundnefs of judgment,
that he was much confulted in doubtful and difficult
cafes ; and we never thought a controverfy in
better hands than when he was perfuaded to un
dertake it. And altho* he was for defending and
fupporting the truth, and had an acutenefs, whereby
he could be keen in expofing the weaknefs of his
oppofers; yet chriftian candour and charity was
his fliining character ; who went great lengths in his
charitable opinion of thofe who were fincere and
honed in their differing fentiments from him.

IN his family relations he was very exemplary:
He was a tender and careful husband j a wife as
well as affectionate father ; and a kind matter. God
vifited him with fore afflictions in his family, in
many forrowful deaths, and in fore fickneffes and of
long continuance. But during fuch a feries of

troubles. God enabled him to exhibit a bright ex-

•

amnle

38 A Funeral Sermon on the

ample of patience and humble fubmiffion to the will
of God; and even fo much fedatenefs and com-
pofednefs of mind, that any one coming in to dif-
courfe with him upon any point, would hardly
perceive by him that there was any trouble' in his
'houfe. And he found it was good to hope, and
quietly wait for the falvation of God : For God
has been pleafed of late to Ihift the fcene, and re-
ftore the voice of health and falvation, in a good
meafure, to his children; which I doubt not they
take notice of with thankfulnefs ; and efpecially
that their tender father lived to fee them under fuch
comfortable circumflances before he left the world.

HE was a prudent, peaceable, friendly and kind
neighbour; ready to every good work of piety and
charity, as the poor and others can teftify : And we
all are witneffes, and God alfo, how holily, and
juftly, and unblameably, he behaved himfelf thro1
the Xvhole courfe of his life among us.

AND now mark the perfefl man, and behold the
upright ; for the end of that man is peace. His
death, like his life, was fedate and calm, without
any furprize or agitation of fpirit. He manifefled
to me, the day before he expired, " That if God
" had any further fervice for him to do he fhould
" be glad to live : But he was refigned to the will
" of God.'* And when I aiked him, whether his
faith and hope remained flrong and fteady ? he
anfwered me to this purpofe, " He thought he
" could fay that in fome good meafure he had
" walked before God in truth and with a perfeft
" heart : And altho' there had been many defeats

" and

Rev. Dr. WIGGLESWORTH. 39

" and failings in his life, yet he hoped and believed
" that thro' Chrifl he ihould be accepted." And
fo we all believe, and are perfuaded concerning him.

AND now what belongs to all of us, but to labour
to be duly affe&ed with the death of an eminent
faint, and of fuch a diilinguiflied character ?

SURELY 'the college has great reafon to lament
the death of fuch a worthy, well accompliftied and
faithful profeflbr.

AND all the churches in the land have reafon to
lament the death of him whofe praife has been in
them. And may not only the fludents who refide
at college, but all the miniflers thro' the land, who
have been trained up under him, remember how
they have received and heard, and hold fad the
faithful and the good word they have received at
his mouth. And may we all unite in humble fer
vent prayer, that the God of the fpirits of all flefli,
and with whom is the refidue of the fpirit, would
raife up and turn the eyes of the governors of the
college to a fucceflbr in all refpe&s fitted for that
important flation.

MAY the children of the deceafed be fupported
under fuch a bereaving difpenfation of divine pro
vidence ; and may a double portion of that good
fpirit which was in their father, and in their other
pious anceftors, defcend and red upon them ; and
may they be very eminent bleffings in the feveral
flations and fervices that God ailigns to them ; and,
if it may be the will of God, as great bleffings to the
college as their excellent father has been.

MAY

40 ^ Funeral Sermon.

MAY I myfelf, and this whole church and con
gregation, be deeply affefted with the extin&ionof
this burning and fliining light, whofe devout pre-
fence has for fo many years graced this aflembly ;
and by whofe kind labours, inftruftive, judicious and
accurate difcourfes, we have been often entertained
and edified ; to think we fhall fee his face and hear
his voice no more.

MAY thofe of us who have for a long courfeof
years been concerned with the deceafed in tranfaft-
ing the various affairs of the college, deeply lay
to heart the great breach which by his death is
made upon the government of that fociety : And
may God appear in great mercy to be. the fpeedy
repairer of the breach.

FINALLY. May we all be quickened by this
holy providence to be up and doing ; improving our
time, and our various talents, to the befl advantage,
working the works of him who hath fent us, whilft
it is day ; for the night of death cometh, wherein
no man can work.

AND may thofe of us who are much about the
age of our deceafed friend and brother, be excited
to labour to be in a&ual readinefs for our own de
parture. Surely the voice of this providence is
the voice of Chrift to us in thofe words, Lukexii.
35 — 37. with which I conclude. Let your loins
be girded about, and your lights burning ; and ye
yourfehes like unto men who wait for their Lord.
EleJJed are thofe fervants whom the Lord when he
cometh Jball fnd watching. AM E N.

IN OBITUM

EDVARDI WIGGLES WORTH, S.T.P.

Q.U A M,

APUD COLLEGIUM HARVARDINUM>
INTER EFFERENDUM,

HABUIT

JOSEPHUS TAYLOR,

« — Confultiffimus vir— omnis DIVINI atque humani juris,—
quern juvenum xmulantium ftudia coetus habuifTe conftat,"

T. Livu, 1. i. 18.

•

[ 3 ]

ORATIO FUNEBRIS

ACTUM eft! vitam perfecit WIGGLES-
WORTH abfolvitque mortalera ! Sic voluit
Pater omnipotens.-— Fautores virtutis ac
humani generis amantes, vita defuncti, recordatione
uti fempiterna vigeant, a viventibus repetere prope
fuo jure debent. Grams quidem et animus monet,
inhumanum, quo tempore talium corpora terra con-
dantur, eodera et memoriam oblivione deleri. Hoc
fi debitura ulli poflulandum fuiflet, cui reftius quam
ei, cujus funebria jufta jam nunc facimus ? At tem-
poris exiguitas, rigor hiemis, atque juventus mea,
quo minus oinnes perpulchras viri illius venerandi,
cujus reliquiae fuper iftud trifle feretrum ponuntur,
virtutes etiam leviter attingam, aut moeftis cognatis
amicifque debitas adhibeam coiifolationes, vetant.

ALIIS

C 4 I

ALII s liceat, aulaeis retraftis, mores in confpe&u
ponere fuaviflimos, qui inde ab initio eum ad finem
ufque vitas praeclarum reddidere. Penes alios fit
arbitrium illecebras depingendi eas, quce intimo
fermoni erant decori ; eorumque, quibufcum ipfi
Confuetudo erar, corda conciliarunt. Alii delineent
id virtumm fidus quod pe&us illuftravit : Horum in
munera non mihi eft in ammo irreprare ; et hanc ob
caufam plurima vitas omamenta filentio pra?tereo.

ECCE finis mortalium univerforum ! En viri
cxitus honeftiffimi integerrimique, redimitus oliva !
Afpicite reliquias viri, non folum de academia, fed
de republica etiam optiine merjti ! quern vivum
omnes boni in fummo habebant honore; quern
mortuura fummo moerore iugem.

Quis exuvias iftius, jam quidem numero caelitum
adfcripti, confpicere poteft, qui non fimul in me-
moriam revocet, quas facukates infigues, qua^ r.obi-
liffima? virtutes per rotam vitam effuiferint ? Ii?,
qua» fane doftum efHciunt, aliis fere omnibus longe
praeftitit. In illo acerrimum ingeniuiii, mens faga-
ciffima, tenax memoria, rerum re<ftifiime ccfliman-
darum poteflas eximie claruerunt. Omni ex parte
eruditus erat. Vetcrum periius linguarum. In
hiftoria tarn civili quam ecclefiaftic?. verfatiilimus.
Omnes denique, quibus vel minima cum profeinone
fi)4 intercept cognatio, fcicntias penitus calluir.

Vi

[ S ]

Vi autem et acumine difceptandi prae caeteris eni-
tuit. Hac praefcrtim in re, fummo orbis literati
confenfu, tenuit primas, mirumque in modum re-
luxit. Hac vero facultate cum plurimum valerer,
turn minirae dogmaiicus ; neque, quas propofitiones
in medium protulerit, iis unquam, nifi gravibus
argumentis certifque fultis, aflentiri voluit.

CUM primura equidem pietate infignis atque vir
honeftiflimus ille Dominus HOLLIS, jampridem
inter cadites relatus, Theologian Profeffionera, ab-
hinc quadraginta amplius annis, hoc loco inftituiffet,
ifte doctiflimus ProfeiTor, utpote etiam turn infigniter
idoneus, qui tali munere fungeretur, fuit ele&us.
Natura, quae eum deftinaverat ad opus in quo
laboravit et excelluit, omnibus neceffariis, ut confilii
compos fieret, dotibus oraavit.

THEOLOGIAM vero profeflus efl j rebus ideo
tiivinis maxime ftuduit : Hie erat percupidus emi-
nendi ; hie eminuit. Mente igitur prsejudiciis ac
fuperftitione, humanitati faspe fceda, fopius fceda
religioni, exuta, cum omnia fedulo meditatus accu-
rateque fcrutatus eflet, fententiarum de facris in
biblia, qua? fola ad homines in rebus tanti momenti
airigendos data, fundamenta jecit. Confirmatis
demam fententiis, animum tantis doftrinse copiis in-
flruere, et ejufmodi corroborare argumentis, quibus
vires ad veritatem evangelii, adverfus malevoloruna
impetus, confervandanj, fuppeterent, erat curce.

C0NCIONES,

E 6 ]

CONCIQNES, turn pro roftris publice pronua-
data*, turn literis mandatce et in lucem emiffce, ftylo
materias femper confoname;, argumentis omnibus
ornamentis, qua; vel animum feducere, vel pravam
propenfionem voluntati folent injicere, nudaiis, etfi
brevibus, nihilo tainen fecius perfpicuis, quamvis
elaboratis, baud eo minus fimplicibus, abfque meta-
phoris longe petitis, nervofis ; ordine nunquam non
natural! nee lucido, perpetuo documentis abundante;
divifionibus paucis, at femper idoneis, a fe invicem
ducentibus originera, et ad ipfam conclufionem,
crefcente vi, pergentibus ; ad maximis utilitatibus
ierviendum miris modis accommodate? funt. Ut
verbo expediam — Cogitavic libere, nee de rebus
divinisdubitavit ; difputator, neque infidus; religioiii
deditus, fimyl et a fuperflitione abhorrens.

I^LUM, profefforis officium pnrftantem, infpec-
teraus ; et quod tandem majus hoc fidelitatis exem-
plum ante oculos proponere queamus ? Hoc facel-
lum, cujus facros intra paricte; modo convetiimus,
obteflor, quanto cum labore hujus focietatis alumnos
ad Dei cuhum erudiret, ac amore virtutis accenderet ;
quam anxie fe ad juveniles animos contra prcrjudicia
armandos pararet ; neu fententias a facris literis
alienas, adinittercnt, propugnaret^

HUNC fi in privata ycrf^tum vird teftrcimis, in-
genii virum amabilis ; animi benevolends ac large
eiici j allabilitatis jucu^diflim^ ; imegrum vita?,

fme

[ 1 1

fine labe fcelerifque purum ; moribus ornatiim fane-
tiffimis; geftu gravem et venerabilem, apertum
tamen ac ingenuum ; omnium denique imitations
digniflimum ; ab omnibus, ni virtutem perofis, di-
le&um efle, inveniemus. Quse virtutes quidem in
aliis afperce atque feverce videantur, in illo fane ve-
nuflo renidebant decore. Peramans conjugum,
Parens benevolentiffimus et benigniffimus. Amicus
hofpitalis, munificus, conftans erat. Omnes inter
viciffitudines vitae, et cafus qui fibi domuiquc fuse
divinitus contigerunt, fatis licet in prefentia trifles,
tranquillus, continens, idem.

QUANTUM incommodi refpublica, quantum rea
literaria, et hcec praecipue focietas ; quantum amicl
atque familiares, hujus ex morte, fuflinuerunt ! Ubi
fama percrebuit, ibi capitiir detrimentum ; ubicun^
que autem terrarum literati habitant, eo equidem
emanaverat fama.

O WIGGLES WORTH ! doftorum delicias
doftrinse, pietatis exemplum ! 6WiGGLEs\v
— — — vixifli !

The following Portrait of the DOCTOR'S
Charader was drawn by one of his learned
and much eftcemed Friends, and inferted

in the B oft on Evening-1]? oft 3 No. 1533.

'

Cambridge, January 19. 1765.

LAST \Vednefday died here, in the 73d year of his
age, after an illnefs of five days, the reverend and
learned EDWARD WIGGLESWORTH, D. D. one
of the Fellows of the Corporation, and HOLMS
Profeflbr of Divinity in Harvard College : A Gentleman
highly efteemed thro' life, and greatly lamented at his Death.

WE pretend not to dtiaw a complete portrait of this emi
nent perfon, of whom it is not eafy to fay, whether he were
more diftinguifhed by the vigor of his intellectual powers,
by the extent of his knowledge, or the height of his moral
attainments : We attempt only to {ketch out fome of the
principal lines of his character.

HE was fon of the late Rev. Michael JVigglefiuorth of
Maiden, who is well known throughout this country by his
divine poems. He received his education in Harvard College,
where he took his degree of Batchelor in Arts, in the yea£
1710, and proceeded Matter in 1 7 1 3 , applying himfelf to the
ftudy of divinity. He preached for fome time in different
parities. When the late pious and generous THOMAS
Ho LI, is, Efq; of London founded a Profefiorfhip of Divi
nity in this place, the governors of the College immediately
turned their eyes upon Mr. WIGGLESWORTH, who was
chofen the firft HOLLIS Profefibr of Divinity, June 28. 1721.
. and having be«n approved by the Founder, was publicly
inftalled in that office la the College-Hall, October 24. 1722.
G and

t * ]

and was not long after chofen into the Corporation. He
continued to difeharge the duties of his important office with
fidelity till within a few days of his death. Much the
greater part of the MiniQers now living in this and the
neighbouring province, were formed under his inftructions.
With what perfpicuicy and iblidity he explained and
eftabliihed the grand doctrines <t religion, with how critical
an accuracy, with how Itrict impartiality and amiable candor
he diicufled the various points of controverfy which have
fo unhappily divided the chritVian world, all who have had
the advantage of his elaborate lectures, for more than forty
years part, can bear witnefs. Some of thefe difcourfes have
been made public for the benefit of others. They raifed a
great efleem of their author. His character was ftill highten-
ed by fome controver(ial pieces, which he publifhed as
occafions required. Here he diiplayed in a nervous and
fufficiently animated ftyle, yet in a cool and difpaflionate
manner, iuch clearness and itrength of argument, as left n»
room for reply.

BEING by an uncommon degree of deafnefs in a great
ineafure cut off from the pleasures of focial converfe, he had
more leifure to turn his attention inward ;---to ftrengthen
the faculties of his mind and ripen his reflexions by habitual
meditation. This defect, as it deprived his friends of much
of the benefit of his converlation, fo it debarred him
from fome opportunities of more extenfive ufefulnefs. He
was for fome time commiffioner of the London fociety for
propagating the gofpel among the Indians, but refigned
about ten years ago on account of his increafing deafnefs.
He was chofen one of the Scotch deputation for propagating
chriftian knowledge, about four years fmce, but exculed him-
felf on the fame account. For this reafon he declined the
Rectorfhip of Yale-College, New-Haven, when it was offered
him. The Univerfity of Edinburg gave their ftrongeft
teftimonial of his merit, by fending himw Diploma for a
DOCTORATE in Divinity. It bears date June 2. 1730.

IN

[ 3 1

IN his private life, the Gentleman and the Chriftiao
appeared to great advantage. He was of an affable, con-
defcending and obliging difpofition. Gentle to all, he was
in the higheft degree tender to his cor.forts deceafed, and his
children, uncfer the maladies of many years continuance,
with which it pleafed GOD to viftt them. During this
feafon of long diftrefs, aggravated too by very prefling diffi
culties arifmu from the narrownefs of his circtur.ftances, he
preferved an unruffled calmnefs, a moft exemplary patience
and liibmiffion to the will of Heaven. Not a repining word
was heard from his lips. He had a heart that felt deeply
for the unhappinefs of others ; and he conftantly appropri
ated a tenth part of his income, contracted as it was, to
pious and charitable ufes. On every account he was iblici-
tous to maintain the honor of the chriftian character. The
fame equable firmnefs and compofure of mind, which had
attended him thro' life, held to the laft ; and the ferenity
with which he met the approach of death, as it was fup-
ported by the enlivening hope of an happy immortality,
afforded a ftriking initance of the divine power and excellency
ot the chriiiian religion. " Mark the perfect man, and
*' behold the upright; for the end of that man is peace."
Pfa. xxxvii. 37.

HE was interred this afternoon with great refpect, the
Minifters and many other Gentlemen from the neighbouring
towns attending his funeral, which agreeably to his own
defire, was conducted in the method lately introduced. His
corpfe, preceded by the fcholars, was carried into the
HOLD EN Chapel, where a funeral oration was pronounced
by one of the fenior Students.

His only fon is now a Tutor in the College ; and his only
furviving daughter married to Mr. Senuall, lately chofen
HANCOCK Profeffor of Hebrew and other oriental languages.

The poetical Eflay fubjoined was wrote by
a young gentleman, a ftudcnt in the
College, and publifhed in theMaffachufeft
Gazette, No. 3179.

Sacred to the Mercery 0/"Dr.AViGGLE.sv/OF..TH.

THE prophet's foul has bid adieu to earth,
Soar'd on cceleftial wings, and gain'd its home;
It's native home, where kindred fpirits throng,
To bid it welcome to the heavenly fhores.
Forgive my mufe, if in the general grief,
Which paints a iblemn gloom in ev'ry face,
She drops a tear o'er his black-mantled urn,
And mourns his exit from a weeping world,

T' eradicate the paffions from the foul,
To be unmov'd with depths of human woe,
Whate'cr the Stoicks fay, is all a dream :
"Who knew our frame, of man the greateft friend,
JESUS, by his own tears at Laz'rus' tomb
Mark'd the juft debt to our departed friends.
Roufe, roufe, my mufe, in numbers celebrate
The fage divine and venerable faint :
"Who, firm and placid, ran the earthly race,
His heart unmov'd, his life without a (lain.

Strong and capacious were his mental pow'rs ;
His judgment clear and found ; his diftion pure ;
His ev'ry word and line, full fraught with fenfe,
Deep thought befpoke and treafures all his own.
Great were his talents in defence of truth :
"Tvvas here he fhone with a difiingu/lh'd ray.

How

t * ]

How would he ftrip fophiftic arguments
Of ev'ry fpecious glare, that leads aftray
From truth's unerring paths, th' unwary mind 1
How, with his cogent reafons, ftrongly urge
The grand, th' important doctrines of his Lord •
'Till, clear'd of all obfcurity and doubt,
His fubjects fhone bright as the noon- day fun 5

Ye fons of Harvard, fay; for ye can tell,
Who once, fo highly blelt, fat at his feet
And catch'd th' intlruclive accents from his tongue,
His weighty truft how faithfully difcharg'd ;
How fteady he purfu'd that noble aim —
To form your morals, to inipire your hearts
With love of virtue, and pure wiidom's ways j
To fill your minds with all-important truths.
Oh WIGGLES WORTH ! could wifdom, learning, fenfe>
Protect their fons, and lave them from the tomb :
Could meeknefs, charity, and ev'ry grace,
That e'er combin'd t' adorn a human foul,
Their vot'ries fnatch from death's rapacious jaws,
Sure thou1, bleft fhade, hadft ne'er become his prey.

Ye indigent, bewail the gen'rous man,
Whofe heart humane has felt for your diftrefs ;
Whofe lib'ral hand has oft fupply'd your wants,
And dealt it's Godlike favours all around.
He is no more ! no more fhall ye partake
Thofe kind reliefs he bounteoufly beftow'd.

Ye children of the dear departed faint,
Witnefs your parent's love, whofe tender bread
Felt all your joys, partook of all your griefs.
"Wife were his counfels, gentle his reproofs :
In ev'ry aft parental love appear'd :
His conduct tended to excite efteem.
And filial piety within the bread.

But

But now. alas ! of fuch a tender fire
Bereft, what words can fpeak the depths of woe \
The matchlefs Grecian painter, when he drew
The horrors in each countenance, exprefs'd
At fig'it of Iphigenia facrific'd,
Near Aulis, on the cruel Grecian ftiores,
Defpairing of his fkill to repreient
Her agonizing father's deep diltrefs,
Conceal d his face beneath his mantling robe.
And wifely left the world to guefs thai grief,
That anguifh which his penal could Hot paint.
Thus ceaie, my pen, t' attempt th' unequal talk,
To picture woe which filence better fpeaks
Than all th' expreffive language mortals ufe.

Ye friends of virtue, friends of the deceas'd,
Come mingle tears, and vent your gen'rous fighs ;
Weep o'er the man, whofe tongue was wont to charm,
Your captivated hearts j while in difcourfe
From his warm breall, by focial virtues fir'd,

You catch'd. an equal flame.

True was his triendlhip, for his open heaVt
Nor knew" deceit, nor brook'd the leaft difguife.
Serene his; ten>fg|£ undiiturb'd by cares ;
His cnind, fedate in ev'ry fcene of life,
Diiplay'd the chrillian, who unmov'd by ills,
Can fit and fmile, while earth's foundations fnakc.

AVhile fome, whofe lives for virtue were renown'd.
Who pafs'd for chriftians of diltinguiih d rank,
Cou'd only boaft of fome few fhining deeds,
Like fcatter'd ftars o'er Other's vail expanfe ;
His ev'ry year, with virtuous actions crown 'd,
Glow'd like the milky way, thick fet with ftars.
Witnefs, ye. walls, where contemplation rciga'd ;
Where he his thoughtful hours, unweary'd, fpent,
"Witnefs the fervour of his heav'nly mind ;

How

[ 4 )

How, while he mus'd on themes divinely Bright*
His raptur'd foul to empyrean flties
Has wing'd it's way, and view'd the bleft abodes,
Where joys perennial dwell, whence blifsful ftreams
Of pleafures, ever new, flow without end ;
And ravifh'd faints forever tune their voice,
To fmg that love which rais'd them to thofe feats.
Then has he wifh'd to quit his earthly frame,
Which kept his foul a pris'ner here confin'd,
And long'd to join th* aifembled choirs above,
To prove thofe joys, and mix his fongs with their's.

Let this our forrows foothe, and dry our tears,
That death, the laft of foes, has loft his fting.
Has prov'd a friend to lonfe the weary foul,
And raife it to the realms of endlefs blifs.
Now he imbibes full draughts of heav'nly joy,
From living fprings faft by the throne of God ;
His foul is free to range the azure fields,
And fweets inhale from ev'ry fragrant flow'r.
Ceale then, ye tears, and ceafe, each murm'ring figh;

Be ev'ry paffion hufh'd. He reigns with Chrift.

1L

Ye, who furvive, thofe virtues make your own,
Which fhone confpicuous thro' his holy life :
This will embalm his precious mem'ry more
Than panegyrics of fublimeft ftrain.

SYMPATHES,

. >•- .-...-,. . -^.^

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